Now a crack!!! Found my ring :) Going to try some Osage?

[David Flanrey]

Coaster,

Like Kelly suggest, you can check the weight easily with a cheap digital scale.  I bought mine for about $15 at Harbor Freight.  At our store you have to ask for them because the drugies steal them to weigh their dope.  Probably a moisture meter would be better.

[michaelschwister]

Crack won't hurt it at all.  I have had them spilt all the way down the middle and still make an excellent bow.  As for chasing rings, when unsure take your draw knife and use it as a scraper at 90 degree angles to the wood with some pressure.  The earlywood will melt away like dust, while the latewood will hold up nicely.

[coaster500]

David I got a scale and will start to weight my staves..

michaelschwister, I started using my draw knife that way about 2/3rds of the way down the stave. That really works great!!!

It's roughed out, resealed ends and back and in the rack to dry a bit more...